Ps 44/45 “One Step Forward, Two Steps Back…”

Circumstances come and go, some are beneficial and others are disastrous. We face our ups and our downs and the psalmist of old lived a life with the same problems as we face today. Sometimes we feel like we are taking one step forward and then retreating by taking two steps backward.Where is God in all of this you say? We are not alone but instead God is carrying us through all the ups and downs, the steps we take into the future as well as the times we are having to step back. We should be asking: ‘where is my focus,’ is it on the circumstances of life or on God who “changeth not.” In Romans 8, Paul tells us 8:5 “For those who live according to the flesh have their outlook shaped by the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their outlook shaped by the things of the Spirit.”

As the psalmist considers “life,” he reminds God of His past faithfulness.  That is how I need to be considering all of my life’s “adventures.”  In fact, God is pleased when we remind Him of His promises and His past faithfulness to us.

As the psalmist we too can remember and rehearse what God has done in the past. He saved them and He saved me. But now it seems like I am in an impasse with enemies surrounding me. They could be circumstances, it could be any number of things. As God chooses He can route the enemies but some times like the psalmist it seems like God has chosen to not do so. Where is God when we face yet a new adversary/problem? We need to remind ourselves that God is where He was when He surfaced last time. He changes not! He is still there. It may seem as if He is silent and absent. That is how the world views God, one who is the watchmaker who completed creation and left it to tick on its own. Yet the psalmist does not have this outlook on his God and neither should I or you.  Instead, the psalmist comes to God boldly, “Why are you asleep God? Wake up!, Do not reject us! Why do you look the other way? Why are you ignoring us? Rise up and help us!”   These are bold statements and questions. Should we be so bold? Listen to the author of Hebrews: Heb 4:16 Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.

 

Today, as you walk and talk and face your one step forwards and two steps back, keep your focus on Him who changeth not, on the boldness you have in Christ as you walk by the Spirit, are led by the Spirit and live by the Spirit. Remember, God is right there beside you and you may not see Him or notice Him but He is right there. Cry out to God and listen for His answer back and as of old God will remind us: Jer 31:3 In a far-off land the Lord will manifest himself to them. He will say to them, ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love. That is why I have continued to be faithful to you.